Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrissy Bernos And Allie Feinstein.
Hi Chrissy Bernos and Allie Feinstein, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We’re Chrissy Bernos and Allie Feinstein—co-founders, co-owners, and proud Midwesterners. We met in Los Angeles nearly 14 years ago while working at The Walt Disney Company—Chrissy in video production and Allie in marketing. We clicked instantly. At first, it was our shared Midwestern roots, but our bond deepened through a mutual curiosity about the world, a love of creativity, and a playful spirit that never really left us, even as we moved through the corporate world.
Navigating LA, adulthood, and the entertainment industry could be overwhelming and, at times, lonely. We found comfort and energy in each other—daydreaming during late-night hangs and lunch breaks about creating something of our own. Something fun. Something weird. Something that would let people reconnect with that spark we often lose as we grow up.
That daydream slowly evolved into our umbrella business, Elective Studios—a playful nod to the classes we loved in school that let you explore without the pressure of grades or performance. We wondered: What if adults could still take electives? What if there were spaces where grown-ups could play, experiment, and learn just for the joy of it?
We started small, testing our ideas through curated events and workshops. One day you could learn how to write a TV pilot with a working showrunner. Another day, you’d be in a recording studio laying down vocals with music producers. The real magic wasn’t just in the activities—it was in how people lit up. We saw adults stepping out of their routines, meeting new people, and feeling like kids again.
One of our most popular ideas came from a random, bored night at home. We were sitting around and said, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could just throw paint like Jackson Pollock?” That offhand comment became our first paint splatter room—a full-body creative experience where people could make a joyful mess. It was an instant hit at our largest event, Playtime, and something we knew had the potential to stand on its own.
Our momentum was growing. We had sponsors, celebrity performances, and a growing following. But then the pandemic hit, and like so many others, our plans were put on pause. We each returned to our hometowns temporarily—Chrissy to Ann Arbor, Allie to Cleveland—unsure of what would come next.
During that time, we realized the creative void we were trying to fill in LA existed everywhere. The need for connection, curiosity, and play wasn’t unique to one city. Adults all over were craving something more than the usual routine of work, home, and the occasional dinner or drink out.
Allie ended up officially moving to Cleveland and she recognized the city’s growth, its grit, heart, and emerging creative energy – she felt like it was the perfect place to reignite our idea. Once Chrissy visited Allie/Cleveland we both saw potential everywhere and believed our whimsical brains could really thrive here in Cleveland. We decided to focus on the splatter paint concept—something universally accessible, joyful, and low-pressure—and build a nostalgic creative playground around it.
We launched a five-month pop-up in Ohio City. The response was incredible. Guests came in curious and left beaming. The experience resonated deeply—people didn’t just have fun, they felt lighter, more connected, more alive.
Building on that success, we opened our first permanent location in Old Brooklyn, made possible by the generosity and support of Matt Ashton and Lekko Coffee. Along the way, we’ve been supported by a community of mentors and believers. Michelle Herh, the owner of Master Crafter DIY in Twinsburg, became our mentor and guiding light—offering us not just practical wisdom but genuine encouragement. And people like Shannon Mattingly, who’s now at Meta, have supported and championed our vision since the early LA days.
Today, The Splatter Loft is more than just a paint splatter room. It’s a creative clubhouse and nostalgic oasis for adults—a place to let go, make a mess, connect with others, and remember what it feels like to play without a purpose. Because we believe joy is essential, curiosity should never expire, and being a grown-up shouldn’t mean growing out of fun.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road. Building something new from the ground up is rarely a straight line and for us it’s been a rollercoaster. In the beginning, one of our biggest hurdles was simply choosing a direction and sticking with it. We had a million ideas and so much creative energy, but turning that into something tangible took time, patience, and a lot of trial and error. Like most creatives, we’ve had our fair share of second-guessing and the occasional comparison trap, which never helps.
Once we landed on the splatter paint experience, things started to click. But the hard part wasn’t just building the thing—it was explaining it. We’ve always felt that what we’re doing is about so much more than throwing paint; it’s about sparking your inner child, connection, curiosity, and creative freedom. That’s hard to convey in a quick social media caption or a 10-second pitch. We’ve struggled with marketing—partly because we’re self-funded and had to be scrappy, but also because what we offer is best understood through experience. Once people walk through the door, they get it. But getting them in the door? That’s been the challenge.
Running a small business means wearing all the hats—and doing it while also trying to think ahead. Time management is tough. We’re constantly balancing the demands of the day-to-day with the desire to plan for the future. We’re big fans of Ari Weinzweig from Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor and his visioneering method—we love the idea of zooming out and dreaming big. But honestly, the present has a way of hijacking our calendar.
Still, we’re learning to embrace the pace. Building something meaningful takes faith, resilience, and a whole lot of improvising. We’re figuring it out as we go—and trusting that the path will continue to unfold, even if it’s a little messy along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The Splatter Loft is a paint splatter studio and creative playground where adults can reconnect with their inner child and reignite their creativity, curiosity, and imagination.
While we specialize in immersive splatter paint experiences, we’ve always envisioned something bigger—a space that inspires everyone to play, explore, and feel free to be a kid again. Our 2,000-square-foot space is a nostalgic oasis that’s ’90s and early 2000s themed. It’s divided into two main areas: a massive splatter paint studio and our “Uncommon Area”—a vibrant, interactive lounge that feels like a millennial kid’s dream clubhouse.
And it’s not just a vibe—it’s an experience. In the Uncommon Area, guests can explore our “Library of Things,” a curated collection of nostalgic gadgets and toys like old Discmans, Polaroid cameras, Nokia phones, and more. There’s a fully decked-out early 2000s bedroom corner that we’re obsessed with and guests love to take photos in. Guests are surrounded by posters and photos of the Spice Girls, NSYNC, Destiny’s Child and other Y2K icons. We play 90s and 2000s music too so guests can feel like they’ve travelled back in time as soon as they arrive. We also have retro video games, swings, instruments, a bracelet-making and temporary tattoo station. We wanted to create a place that was interactive and encouraged playfulness and a setup that facilitated social interaction. It’s fun because the whole place is a hand-on experience.
One detail that sets us apart from other art or splatter studios is our size. Most studios are small, single-room setups focused solely on the painting activity. We love how big our paint room is and the fact that we offer so much more than splatter painting.
But what truly sets us apart from other places is our atmosphere. From the moment guests walk through the door, we want them to feel like they’ve stepped into something magical, out of the ordinary, but we also prioritize making them feel comfortable and excited. We try to do any little thing to make them feel special and comfortable. We encourage silliness, creativity, and full-on freedom—no rules, no pressure, just play.
We’ve also become a go-to destination for private events and parties, thanks to our multifunctional space and dynamic layout. Whether it’s a birthday, corporate outing, or just a group looking to do something different, people love that there’s so much more to explore than just splattering paint.
One of the things we’re most proud of is that this started as a true and personal desire from the both of us—a place we wished existed when we were craving creativity and connection—and when we realized it didn’t exist we actually built it. Seeing guests light up the moment they walk in, hearing them yell “Oh my gosh! I remember this!” or watching families and friends of all walks of life play and laugh together is so validating.
We’re also incredibly proud to be female founders. Chrissy is Asian American and Allie is Russian American, both daughters of first-generation immigrants. Our families faced serious challenges when they came to the U.S., and to now have a business that we built from the ground up—rooted in creativity, community, and joy—feels not just meaningful for us, but also like something special we get to share with them.
How do you define success?
To us, success starts with setting a goal, working toward it with intention, and then being able to genuinely appreciate the outcome—big or small. That feeling of seeing something go from an idea to reality is powerful. When we opened our first pop-up, that was a major milestone. We set out to build a space for joy, creativity, and connection, and the moment people walked in and felt that—that was success.
But success doesn’t stop there. It evolves. As our vision grows, our definition of success shifts too. Now we think about things like sustainability—how can we build something that continues to thrive and make an impact even beyond us?
At the heart of it, we’re driven by the desire to create what we once wished existed—experiences that bring people together, spark curiosity, and give adults permission to play again. If we can keep showing up, creating with purpose, and staying true to who we are along the way—that’s what real success looks like to us.
Pricing:
- Our standard Paint Splatter Experience is $40 per person
- Private Paint Splatter Experience is $50 per person
- 2 Hour Private Parties are $40 per person + $200 rental fee
- Canvas Upgrades: $10 for 12×12 stretch canvas $5 for 11×14 canvas panel and $15 for 16×20 canvas panel
- Tape Design: $2 | T-Shirts/Hats: $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thesplatterloft.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesplatterloft
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thesplatterloft
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-splatter-loft-cleveland
- Other: @thesplatterloft on tiktok
